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Businesses seek Dartford crossing toll discount
Page 12
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Hauliers call for the proposed Dart=ord crossing discount scheme to include businesses as well as local residents. Roanna Avison reports.
OPERATORS BASED near the Dartford crossing in Kent have called for proposed discounted tolls which have been offered to local residents to be extended to include businesses.
Transport Minister Rosie Winterton last week revealed plans to allow residents of Dartford and Thurrock to pay an annual £10 registration fee which will cover :he first 50 journeys.After that they Nih have to pay 20p per trip.
However the concession does lot extend to businesses. David ;alter, director at Purfleet-based Ntlas Freight, says he sends trucks )ver the crossing every day. "As with everything else, all we seem to end up doing is paying. Fin sure a discount would benefit local businesses far more than local residents.
Bill Brown, director at Purfleetbased Brocks Haulage, says residents are unlikely to use the crossing regularly because of the congestion, while businesses have to use it. "If the government can afford to offer discounts to local residents, it would make more sense to cut the costs of the tolls for all users, particularly businesses that have to use the crossing and would benefit most from lower costs."
The Freight Transport Association has gone one step further and called for the tolls to be scrapped. Director of external affairs Geoff Dossetter says that since the construction costs of the crossing have been covered there is no need to charge motorists and increase pollution by forcing vehicles to slow down or queue.
The consultation on these arrangements will begin this week and, subject to the outcome, the system is expected to start in the autumn.
Winterton says: -The DartfordThurrock crossing is a vital transport link for national and South-East economies, which have brought huge economic benefits and opportunities.
"In December2006weconsulted on changes to the charging regime for the crossing. Local people made a strong case for a discount as a result of the impact the crossing has on local traffic and air quality and we have listened."